absence

*conspicuous by one's absence

Cliché noticeably absent (from an event). (*Typically: be ~; made ~.) How could the bride's father miss the wedding? He was certainly conspicuous by his absence.

See also: conspicuous

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Prov. You will like someone or something better if that person or thing is far away. Ever since Carla's boyfriend moved away, she can't stop thinking about him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

See also: grow, heart, make

in the absence of someone or something

while someone or something isn't here; without someone or something. In the absence of the cook, I'll prepare dinner. In the absence of opposition, she won easily.

leave of absence

a period of time away from one's job, with the employer's permission. Mr. Takaguchi is on leave of absence because he is going back to school. His leave of absence is expected to end next month.

See also: leave

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

something that you say which means being apart from someone that you love makes you love them even more 'My boyfriend's going to South America and I won't see him for six months.' 'Ah well, absence makes the heart grow fonder.'

See also: grow, heart, make

be conspicuous by your absence  (humorous)

if someone is conspicuous by their absence, people notice that they are not present in a place where they are expected to be Helen was conspicuous by her absence at the meeting yesterday.

See also: conspicuous